• Create a floor plan of your new home and plan the placement of furniture

• Look at your present furniture and arrange to sell (garage sale) items that will not be required in your new house

• Plan your packing

• Organise the delivery of boxes from your removalist so you can pack yourself

• Organise proper equipment such as tape, labels, marking pens etc.

2 Weeks to Go

• Check the garden

• Check the Garage

• Check the shed

• Check under the house

• Hold a garage sale

• Use up all frozen foods in the freezer, unless you are moving locally

• Dispose of garden chemicals, paints, fuel and other flammable items

• Burn off the gas from the BBQ’s

• Arrange school, day care etc,

Start packing this week if you are doing it yourself

• Label every carton by room identification. Keep a separate list of the contents for your own reference

• Contact family, friends and businesses regarding your change of address. Check the list of essential contacts and begin to work through these to change your address

• If any furniture needs to be dismantled before moving, begin to do this week. Put all bolts,

screws and other small attachments to make up this furniture into a small self sealing bag

and tape to the base of the item, or, label clearly and place in one box that will contain all items of this kind

• Arrange telephone, electricity, gas and water supplies for your new home

1 Week to Go

• Arrange with the Post Office to have all your mail redirected

• Cancel newspaper and any other deliveries being made to your present home

• Make a list of things to do on Moving Day

• If you have a waterbed, make arrangements to have the bed prepared as per the manufacturers specifications. This may mean having a contractor come the day before you leave. Your removalist may also be able to assist you

• If you haven’t drained the fuel from your lawnmower, or emptied other containers, do so now

• Establish cut off or final reading dates for electricity, water, phone, and gas

• Collect any articles that are being repaired or have been loaned out

• If needed, make special arrangements for parking or access for the removalist, to your home.

2 Days to Go

• Arrange the necessary finances for payments and moving day

• Pack luggage or those things you will need immediately after moving

• Do the laundry, fold, and pack

• Dispose of remaining chemicals. Flammables and garbage. Do not tip poisons down the drain

• Make sure that all jars, bottles and cans containing non-flammable liquids are tightly sealed and packed in waterproof containers or plastic bags

• If you are keeping blinds or curtains, take these down now and pack them

• Conclude your packing. Make sure all items are on your inventory, and each box is numbered and matches your inventory

1 Day to Go

• If you are having things professionally packed, this will happen today as per your instructions

• Separate any items you have packed and will be taking with you, from those to be packed, and place in an area from which they will not be collected, such as your car if you are driving. This includes all jewellery, handbags, cameras, documents, etc.

• Defrost and clean out your fridge and freezer. Wiping the inside surface with vanilla essence will prevent any build up of mildew or nasty smells. Check with the manufacturer whether the fridge motor needs to be specially secured

• Dispose of food items that are open and will go off if not unpacked within 2 days